Part of the fun of being a fan of the NFL Draft is comparing players in the upcoming class to those already in the NFL. We’re going to start doing that looking at one player on offense and one on defense every week. Just keep in mind that comparisons are often made on best-case scenarios.
2012 NFL Draft player comparisons: Mohamed Sanu and Quinton Coples
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Player: Mohamed Sanu, WR, Rutgers
Comparison: Hakeem Nicks, WR, New York Giants
As mentioned earlier this week, Sanu projects as a great No. 2 wide receiver in the next level. That was the same opinion of Nicks coming out of North Carolina. For both, they have good but not great size, excellent hands and solid speed. Both players excel in making catches in traffic and doing something after the catch. Nicks probably has a little more power to his game, especially as a blocker. Sanu may be a little quicker. At the same time in their careers, though, they're similar.
Player:
, DE, North Carolina
Comparison:
, DT/DE, Arizona Cardinals
Although he’s started to come on in the last few games, Coples will never be the quickest edge rusher. Because of that, he may be best suited by adding more core and leg strength to play inside and outside at the next level. At 6-foot-6, Coples is lanky like the 6-foot-8 Campbell, and if he could get up to 290 or 295 pounds he could hold up better inside in the NFL. It took a couple of years for Campbell to do that, but once he did he became a better player. Coples’ agility and first step are similar to Campbell. While they’re plus traits for a tackle, they’re as ideal for a 4-3 end. Like Campbell, Coples will have to learn to play with a better pad level
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